Once upon a time the Thracians inhabited our lands. The Greek chronicler Herodotus claims that 'after the Indian, the Thracian people are the most numerous'. Millennia after, their ancient and mysterious culture was revealed in its true magnificence. The unearthed Thracian gold treasures conquered the modern world and enabled a great civilization to take its deserving place in the history of mankind.

This tour will lead you to the incredible world of the Thracian civilization inhabited Bulgarian lands thousands of years ago. You will face the cult of the Thracians to the Sun God and try to imagine what their religious habits were. The well preserved Thracian sanctuaries, tombs and treasures will feed your imagination.

Morning sightseeing tour of Sofia. Visit the gold domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, 4th c. AD St. Sophia church, 4th c. AD St. George Rotunda, 11th c. AD church of St. Petka of the Saddlers. Visit the National Archaeological museum where are exhibited three of the world’s famous treasures - the golden vessels and disks from Vulchitrun, Pleven region; the silver appliqués of a horse harness from Lukovit, Lovetch region and the golden ornaments, silver vessels and coins from Nikolaevo, Pleven region. Afternoon visit оf the National Museum of History - one of the largest history museums on the Balkans with 650.000 items and the largest archaeological and historical archive and UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage listed - Boyana church with astonishing 13th century AD frescoes. Departure for Plovdiv. Dinner and overnight in Ramada Hotel Trimontium - Plovdiv (B,L,D)

Morning sightseeing tour of Sofia , Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , St. Sophia church , St. George Rotunda , National Archaeological museum , National Museum of History

ATTRACTIONS BY ROUTE:

Alexander Nevski cathedral

Mineral baths

National theatre

Russian church

St. George Rotunda

St. Sofia church

Boyana church

Perperikon, Alexandrovo
Day 3

After breakfast, drive to the town of Kurdjali in the Rhodopi Mountains and visit the recently discovered sacred town of the Thracians – Perperikon with Dionysios’s sanctuary (6-5th c. BC). In the afternoon visit The Tomb of Alexandrovo - one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Bulgaria. It was built during the second half of the 4th century BCE as a final resting place for a wealthy Thracian ruler whose name is not known. Return back to Plovdiv.
Dinner and overnight in Ramada Hotel Trimontium - Plovdiv (B,L,D)

Morning sightseeing tour of the Old Quarter of Plovdiv including the 2nd c. AD Roman amphitheatre, The Archaeological Museum, where not on a tour, the Panagyurishte golden treasure is kept, St. St. Konstantine and Helena Church and Jumaya Mosque. In the afternoon visit Starosel with Chetinyova hill (recently discovered 5th c. BC Thracian sanctuaries once used as a temple as well as a Thracian tomb).
Drive to the spa town of Hissarya. Although famous for its mineral water springs, the town is a genuine pearl of antiquity. Visit the Hissar Fortress - an archaeological reserve and the best preserved Roman fortification in Bulgaria. Dinner and overnight in Spa Hotel Astrea 3* - Hissarya (B,L,D)

Drive to Kazanluk, situated in the middle of the Valley of the Thracian kings. Visit Iskra Museum of History in Kazanluk where some of the unique Thracian golden treasures discovered in the region are on display and the famous 4th c. BC Kazanluk Thracian Tomb, listed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. Then continue to the Valley of the Thracian Kings and visit the Goliama Kosmatka Tomb dating back to 5-4th c. BC belonging to the Thracian King Seuthes III; the unique tomb at Ostrousha Funeral Complex (5th c. BC) and Svetitsata Tomb belonging to the mighty Thracian King Teres who reigned during the 5th c. BC. See the Russian Memorial Cathedral of Shipka. Cross the Balkans via Shipka Pass. Visit and lunch in Etura open-air architectural and ethnographic museum.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel Meridian Bolyarski 4* - Veliko Turnovo (B,L,D)

Hotel for 1 night (s):

Hotel Meridian Bolyarski 4* or similar

Meal:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Transfer:

Hissarya –> Kazanlak – >Veliko Turnovo (170 km)

Excursions:

Iskra Museum of History in Kazanluk or Kazanluk Thracian Tomb or Goliama Kosmatka Tomb or Funeral Complex or Etura open-air architectural and ethnographic museum

ATTRACTIONS BY ROUTE:

Etara

Veliko Turnovo

Goliama Kosmatka Tomb

Shipka Memorial Church

Shushmanec tomb

Ruse
Day 6

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Veliko Turnovo including Tsarevets Hill and Samovodene market. Sightseeing tour of Arbanassi museum village to see Church of Nativity (16-17th c. AD). After lunch drive to Sveshtari tomb – in UNESCO heritage list - arguably the finest Thracian tomb yet discovered in Bulgaria, located 7 km from the town of Isperih. Continue to the Danube town of Russe, called the ”small Vienna” and city tour. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Riga 4* - Russe (B,L,D)

Booking is available min for 2 pax.
Extra night in Sofia - for a surcharge.
The direction of the program and the sequence of excursions and walks (day of the tour, departure time) can be changed.
This tour program is not an official program and can not serve as a basis for reclamation. It is possible to make changes to the tour program and the sequence of its carrying out.

Information about meeting place / Transfer

The meeting place is Sofia International Airport, the main airport in Sofia. Tourists are greeted at the airport, taken to the hotel. Further all transfers are on the program of the tour.

• 6 Breakfasts at the hotels;
• 5 Lunches at local restaurants;
• 5 dinners at the hotels;
• One dinner at Folk style restaurant with program;
• Professional Guide throughout the whole tour;
• Transfers and transportation by deluxe A/C coach/ mini-coach;
• Entrance fees for the museums and sights, included in the tour.

2000-2018 – TEZ TOUR. Hotels, Transfers, Excursions and extra services.
Booking process in the present system means the deal with obligations under the Contract within the specified payment period, unless otherwise specified in the invoice.